Chatham rail

Cabalus modestus

Cabalus modestus (AM LB4145-4) (cropped)

Cabalus modestus

MA I007233 TePapa Cabalus-modestus-Hutton full

MA I264486 TePapa Cabalus-modestus-Hutton full

MA I264487 TePapa Cabalus-modestus-Hutton full

Chatham rail (Hypotaenidia modestus) is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands, a group of islands located about 800 kilometers east of New Zealand. The Chatham rail is known for its flightlessness, a common trait among island birds due to the lack of natural predators.

Description

The Chatham rail is a small, flightless bird with a length of approximately 20-25 cm. It has a brownish plumage with a distinctive pattern of darker and lighter feathers. The bird's beak is short and stout, adapted for foraging on the ground. Its legs are strong and well-suited for running and navigating through dense vegetation.

Habitat

The Chatham rail inhabits dense forests and shrublands on the Chatham Islands. It prefers areas with thick undergrowth where it can find cover from potential threats. The bird's habitat is characterized by a variety of native plant species, which provide both food and shelter.

Behavior

Chatham rails are primarily ground-dwelling birds. They are known for their secretive nature and are often difficult to observe in the wild. Their diet consists mainly of insects, small invertebrates, and seeds. The birds are also known to forage for food in the leaf litter and soil.

Conservation Status

The Chatham rail is classified as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The primary causes of its extinction include habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native predators such as rats and cats. Conservation efforts have been made to protect the remaining habitats of other endemic species on the Chatham Islands.

Related Pages

• Rallidae
• Flightless bird
• Chatham Islands
• Extinct birds
• Conservation